Traditional sand extraction: Permits reduced to 76

The Dakshina Kannada District Sand Extraction Monitoring Committee has decided to reduce the number of permits given for taking up traditional way of sand extraction using traditional boats in CRZ areas to 76.

A meeting under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil was held to verify the applications submitted seeking permits for traditional sand extraction. The department of Mines and Geology had submitted a list of 126 names for the sand extraction and the committee decided to issue permits for 76 persons, sources said.

As per the National Green Tribunal guidelines, the district administration had decided to issue permits to the eligible sand extractors. According to NGT guidelines, the permission should be issued for those who were engaged in traditional sand mining prior to 2011.

After 2011, they should have availed permits for traditional sand extraction for a minimum of 2 years. Only those, who had applied with suitable documents were selected,” a committee member told DH. 

The authorities had called for objections to the list that were prepared to issue permits for sand extraction in CRZ areas. The authorities have received four objections for the list. The objections will be verified within two days.

It may be recalled that hundreds of permits were issued for sand extraction two years ago in the district.

In 2017, 92 persons were issued permits to extract sand in CRZ area.